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June 2008 News Archive
Millicent Residents Demand Action - and get it!
Residents of the South Australian town of Millicent have gained a victory in their fight to save jobs and support the community. The local Woolworths store has voluntarily banned its own ‘Select Brand’ paper products. They are reported to have told Woolworths hierarchy that “if the neighbouring pulp mill products aren’t good enough then nothing is.”
Channel Seven’s Today Tonight program ran a five minute slot on South Australian TV highlighting the Millicent win.
The Kimberly Clark paper mill is the backbone of the Millicent community, employing almost 700 people.
Staff at the store have refused to stock the ‘Select’ products, effectively telling their bosses to ‘stick it’. Kevin Millie, the Millicent sub-branch Secretary for the CFMEU had this to say, “the company is a local company for Millicent and Mount Gambier, and they have taken them (Select Brand products) off the shelves just to stop any actions from members going to their shop and making a scene.”
Woolworths actions directly threaten the livelihoods of the Kimberley Clarke mill. Father of three Brian Walker, said “its starting to look a bit ominous at the moment, especially where I work where we do have a lot of machine shuts. I have a mortgage, 3 kids, a wife it’s a very serious concern of mine not being able to put food on the table and pay the mortgage.”
Mr. Millie noted that, “Kimberley Clarke sales are down 20% on last year’s sales.” He attributes this to the practices of companies that import cheap, and unsustainably produced products. These products are produced from illegally logged rainforests of Sumatra.
The continual sourcing of cheap, unsustainable products threatens 100,000 hectares of pine and blue gum plantations in the green-triangle, that provides employment and supports industry and gives life to the communities located there. Interviewed for TV, one local resident put it succinctly, “I wont be buying them.”
Banners Fly High and Loud
Wake up Woolworths’, that’s the message seen by thousands of Melbournians going to and from work, as a giant banner was unfurled on the side of the CFMEU building in West Melbourne.
“This banner is the opening shot in a billboard campaign, including mobile billboards to raise consumer awareness about Woolworths’ hypocritical environmental and social policies”, said Alex Millar, Secretary of the Pulp and Paper Workers’ Branch of the CFMEU.
Representatives from international Trade Unions were there to witness the banner launch and to provide global support for the campaign.
Bob Ramsay, Director of Wood and Forestry from the BWI which is based in Geneva with over 12 million members, said, “Forestry workers support sustainable practices. Environmental and social issues are important in the global economy. We have a lot of common ground to support the issues and we hold companies to account for respecting workers rights and the environment equally.”
Greenstore Visit - April 2008
In March 2008, a group of protesters picketed the Woolworths’ so called ‘Greenstore’ in Rouse Hill in Sydney’s outer west.
Setting up outside the store the protesters held placards aloft demanding Woolworths earn some real green credentials. Shoppers were handed leaflets outlining Woolworths recalcitrant practices and highlighting their hypocrisy.
Local media covered the protest and interviewed spokesman Tim Woods, and the Secretary of the Pulp and Paper Workers Branch of the CFMEU, Alex Millar. Mr. Millar said, “this is just another nail in Australian workers’ coffin by Woolworths importing Select Brand tissue and paper products”.
The protesters then went on to Woolworths’ headquarters, where Alex, Tim and the tiger requested a meeting with CEO, Michael Luscombe. The request was turned down by security guards, but the point had been made. Tim Woods had this to say, “today, Woolworths have nothing to say about endangered species, habitat destruction, and the use of Asia Pulp and Paper, the world’s least sustainable fibre manufacturer. Shame on you Michael Luscombe, shame.
Melbourne's East Wakes Up To Woolworths' Wicked Ways
The 10th May 2008 store visits by Wake Up Woolworths were well attended with around 20 campaigners, including pulp and paper workers, children and a special appearance by Kevin the Sumatran Tiger.
Kevin was a big hit with the kids and the new balloons were also well received.
Along with almost 1000 leaflets, hundreds of balloons were distributed in a 2 hour session at the very large ‘Box Hill Central’ Shopping centre. Community support for Woolworths to become a sustainable company is very high. Few people refuse to take leaflets, many stop and listen and some agree to write to the company!